Multimeric cyclic RGD peptides as potential tools for tumor targeting: solid-phase peptide synthesis and chemoselective oxime ligation

The alpha v beta 3 integrin receptor plays an important role in human metastasis and tumor-induced angiogenesis. Targeting this receptor may provide information about the receptor status of the tumor and enable specific therapeutic planning. Solid-phase peptide synthesis of multimeric cyclo(-RGDfE-)-peptides is described, which offer the possibility of enhanced integrin targeting due to polyvalency effects. These peptides contain an aminooxy group for versatile chemoselective oxime ligation. Conjugation with para-trimethylstannylbenzaldehyde results in a precursor for radioiododestannylation, which would allow them to be used as potential tools for targeting and imaging alpha v beta 3-expressing tumor cells. The conjugates were obtained in good yield without the need of a protection strategy and under mild conditions.     

Template assembled cyclopeptides as multimeric system for integrin targeting and endocytosis

The alpha(V)beta(3) integrin receptor plays an important role in human metastasis and tumor-induced angiogenesis. c[-RGDfV-] peptide represents a selective alpha(V)beta(3) integrin ligand that has been extensively used for research, therapy, and diagnosis of neoangiogenesis. We report here the modular synthesis and biological characterization of template assembled cyclopeptides as a multimeric system for targeting and endocytosis of cells expressing alpha(V)beta(3) integrin. c[-RGDfK-] was cleanly assembled in a multivalent mode by chemoselective oxime bond formation to a cyclodecapeptides template labeled by different reporter groups. Binding propensity to the alpha(V)beta(3) receptor and the associated good uptake property displayed by the multivalent molecules demonstrated the interest in the RAFT molecule to design new multimeric system with hitherto unreported properties. These compounds offer an interesting perspective for the reevaluation of integrins as angiogenesis regulators (Hynes, R. O. Nature Med. 2003, 9, 918-921) as well as for the design of more sophisticated systems such as molecular conjugate vectors.     

Identification of a novel class of small-molecule antiangiogenic agents through the screening of combinatorial libraries which function by inhibiting the binding and localization of proteinase MMP2 to integrin alpha(V)beta(3).

The process of new blood vessel growth from existing vasculature, known as angiogenesis, is critical to several pathological conditions, most notably cancer. Both MMP2, which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), and integrin alpha(V)beta(3), which contributes to endothelial cell attachment to the ECM, are critically involved in this process. Recent findings have shown that MMP2 is localized in an active form on the surface of invasive endothelial cells based on its ability to directly bind integrin alpha(V)beta(3), suggesting that disrupting this protein--protein interaction may represent a new target for the development of angiogenesis inhibitors. The screening of small molecule libraries led to the identification of compounds which disrupt the MMP2--alpha(V)beta(3) interaction in an in vitro binding assay. A prototypical inhibitor was further found to prevent the degradation of the protein matrix without directly inhibiting MMP2 activity or disrupting the binding of alpha(V)beta(3) to its classical ECM ligand, vitronectin. The synthesis and screening of analogues and substructures of this lead compound allowed the identification of requisite structural features for inhibition of MMP2 binding to alpha(V)beta(3). This led to the synthesis of a more water-soluble derivative which maintains the in vitro biological properties and has potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity in vivo, validating the target as one useful for therapeutic intervention.     

Direct observation of ligand binding to membrane proteins in living cells by a saturation transfer double difference (STDD) NMR spectroscopy method shows a significantly higher affinity of integrin alpha(IIb)beta3 in native platelets than in liposomes

About 30% of the proteins in mammalian systems are membrane bound or integrated (e.g., GPCRs). It is inherently difficult to investigate receptor-ligand interactions on a molecular level in their natural membrane environment. Here, we present a new method based on saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR to characterize at an atomic level binding interactions of cell surface proteins in living cells. Implemented as a double difference technique, STD NMR allows the direct observation of binding events and the definition of the binding epitopes of ligands. The binding of the pentapeptide cyclo(RGDfV) to the surface glycoprotein integrin alpha(IIb)beta3 of intact human blood platelets can be detected by saturation transfer double difference (STDD) NMR in less than an hour. A 5-fold higher STD response reflects a significantly higher affinity of integrin alpha(IIb)beta3 in native platelets than in liposomes, which demonstrates the importance of studying membrane proteins in their natural environment. Also, the binding mode of cyclo(RGDfV) in the arginine glycine region is slightly different when interacting with native integrin in platelets compared to integrin reintegrated into liposomes.     

Binding of monomeric and dimeric Concanavalin A to mannose-functionalized dendrimers

Because of the central role of Concanavalin A (Con A) in the study of protein-carbohydrate interactions, a thorough understanding of the multivalent functions of Con A is imperative. Here, the association of monomeric and dimeric derivatives of Con A with mannose-functionalized generation two through six PAMAM dendrimers is reported. Hemagglutination assay results indicate relatively low activity of the dendrimers for monomeric Con A, with small increases as the dendrimer generation increases. Isothermal titration microcalorimetry experiments indicate monovalent binding by the dendrimers with monomeric Con A and divalent binding by the dendrimers with dimeric Con A. Continuous (and comparable) but narrowing increases in enthalpy and entropy and the slight increase in association constants with monomeric Con A as the dendrimer generation increases suggest favorable proximity effects on binding. Both the hemagglutination assay and the calorimetry experiments suggest that statistical binding enhancements can be observed with monomeric Con A. The results described here should allow for a more quantitative evaluation of the enhancements that are often observed in protein-carbohydrate interactions for glycosylated frameworks binding to Con A.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric investigation of ammonium ion complexes with anomeric 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1alpha- and -1beta-D-ribofuranosyl azides: anomeric and kinetic isotope effects in ammonium affinities.

[Methanol + ammonium acetate] solutions of anomeric 2,3-O-isopropylidene-1alpha- and 1beta-ribofuranosyl azides were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The compounds included d6-labeled and/or unlabeled isopropylidene groups that enable the identification of peaks characteristic of the ammonium-attached monomeric (MNH4(+)), ammonium-bound homodimeric ([M]2NH4(+)) and heterodimeric ([MNH4M1](+)) complex ions in ESI mass spectra of solutions of a pair of compounds. The intensities of the product ion peaks obtained by the collisionally activated ammonium-bound dimeric ions are related to the secondary isotope effect k(alpha)/k(alphad6) = 0.88 and k(beta)/k(betad6) = 1.25 or to isotope plus anomeric effects k(alpha)/k(betad6) = 1.43 and k(beta)/k(alphad6) = 0.59 in the ammonium affinities of these compounds. The calculations of solely anomeric effects in the ammonium affinities of alpha and beta anomeric compounds obtained from the data presented previously give two series of values: k(alpha)/k(beta) = (k(alpha)/k(alphad6))(k(alphad6)/k(beta)) = 1.49 and k(alphad6)/k(betad6) = (k(alphad6)/k(beta))(k(beta)/k(betad6)) = 2.12 or k(alpha)/k(beta) = (k(alpha)/k(betad6))(k(betad6)/k(beta)) = 1.14 and k(alphad6)/k(betad6) = (k(alphad6)/k(alpha))(k(alpha)/k(betad6)) = 1.63. The disparities of these results indicate the different structures of hydrogen bonding in ammonium-bound dimeric complexes which decompose to monomeric ions with different rate constants. Comparison of experimental results obtained by the qualitative approach of the kinetic method and ammonium affinities of these compounds calculated by the semi-empirical molecular orbital method (AM1) show that the [MNH4M1](+) dimeric complex ions dissociate to the most stable MNH4(+) and M1NH4(+) monomeric ions. The obtained relative order of ammonium affinities of these compounds is: alphad6 > alpha > beta > betad6.     

Multimeric Presentation of RGD Peptidomimetics Enhances Integrin Binding and Tumor Cell Uptake

The use of multimeric ligands is considered as a promising strategy to improve tumor targeting for diagnosis and therapy. Herein, tetrameric RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptidomimetics were designed to target α_vβ₃ integrin-expressing tumor cells. These compounds were prepared by an oxime chemoselective assembly of cyclo(DKP-RGD) ligands and a cyclodecapeptide scaffold, which allows a tetrameric presentation. The resulting tetrameric RGD peptidomimetics were shown to improve α_vβ₃ integrin binding compared with the monomeric form. Interestingly, these compounds were also able to enhance tumor cell endocytosis in the same way as tetrameric RGD peptides. Altogether, the results show the potential of the tetrameric cyclo(DKP-RGD) ligands for in vivo imaging and drug delivery.     

Building a novel vitronectin assay by immobilization of integrin on calixarene monolayer

Membrane proteins possess significant hydrophobic domains and are likely to deplete their native activity immobilized on the solid surface relative to those occurring in a membrane environment. To investigate an efficient immobilization method, calix[4]crown-ether monolayer as an artificial protein linker system was constructed on the gold surface and characterized by Fourier transform infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (FTIR-RAS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Integrin alpha(v)beta3 was functionally immobilized onto the monolayer and the integrin-vitronectin interaction was investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). It was found that calix[4]crown-ether was assembled as a monolayer on the gold surface. Orientation and accessibility of integrin alpha(v)beta3 was assessed by sensitive binding of its natural ligand, vitronectin at pg mL(-1) level. Moreover, surface coverage of integrin layer and thickness calculated through SPR curve simulation verified that integrin layer was a monolayer in activated form. In combination with the SPR method, this calix[4]crown monolayer provided a reliable and simple experimental platform for the investigation of isolated membrane proteins under experimental conditions resembling those of their native properties.     

Chemoselectively addressable template: a valuable tool for the engineering of molecular conjugates

We herein report the modular design and the synthesis of new molecular conjugates, which can combine a cell targeting function (ligand domain) with potential cytotoxic molecules (effector domain). The present approach utilizes a cyclic peptide template, Chemoselectively Addressable Template (CAT) as a key intermediate. These CAT molecules exhibit two independent and chemically addressable domains which permits the sequential and regioselective assembly of different ligand and/or effector domains. The attachment of various units to the template was achieved by the formation of iterative oxime bonds. The chemoselective oxime bonds were produced by the reaction of glyoxylyl aldehyde groups obtained from serine precursors. The process was further developed to prevent transoximation reactions. RAFT(c[-RGDfK-])4, a synthetic vector targeting the tumor-associated a alpha(V)beta3 integrin was prepared and coupled to either a cytotoxic peptide or oligonucleotide as an illustration of present approach. The potential application of this approach has been further demonstrated by the synthesis of high molecular weight compounds such as RAFT(c[-RGDfK-])16, a alpha(V)beta3-targeting ligand of high valency index.     

Cyclo[n]pyrroles: size and site-specific binding to G-quadruplexes

Inhibiting the enzyme telomerase by stabilizing the G-quadruplex has potential in anticancer drug design. Diprotonated cyclo[n]pyrroles represent a set of expanded porphyrin analogues with structures similar to that of telomestatin, a natural product known to bind to and stabilize G-quadruplexes. As a first step toward testing whether cyclo[n]pyrroles display a similar function, a series of diprotonated cyclo[n]pyrroles (where n = 6, 7, and 8) was each added to the human telomere repeat sequence d(T(2)AG(3))(4) and examined with mass spectrometry, ion mobility, and molecular dynamics calculations. Nano-ESI-MS indicated that the smaller the cyclo[n]pyrrole, the more strongly it binds to the telomeric sequence. It was also found that cyclo[6]pyrrole bound to d(T(2)AG(3))(4) better than octaethylporphyrin, a finding rationalized by cyclo[6]pyrrole having a 2+ charge, while octaethylporphyrin bears no charge. Ion mobility measurements were used to measure the collision cross section of each d(T(2)AG(3))(4)/cyclo[n]pyrrole complex. Only one peak was observed in the arrival time distributions for all complexes, and the experimental cross sections indicated that only structures with d(T(2)AG(3))(4) in an antiparallel G-quadruplex arrangement and each cyclo[n]pyrrole externally stacked below the G-quartets occur under these experimental conditions. When the cyclo[n]pyrroles were intercalated or nonspecifically bound to the quadruplex, or if conformations different than antiparallel were considered for d(T(2)AG(3))(4), the theoretical cross sections did not match experiment. On this basis, it is inferred that (1) external stacking represents the dominant binding mode for the interaction of cyclo[n]pyrroles with d(T(2)AG(3))(4) and (2) the overall size and charge of the cyclo[n]pyrroles play important roles in defining the binding strength.     

Binding of a dimeric derivative of vancomycin to L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate in solution and at a surface.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of bacteria that are resistant to vancomycin (V), a glycopeptide antibiotic, results from the replacement of the carboxy-terminal D-Ala-D-Ala of bacterial cell wall precursors by D-Ala-D-lactate. Recently, it has been demonstrated that covalent dimeric variants of V are active against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). To study the contribution of divalency to the activities of these variants, we modeled the interactions of V and a dimeric V with L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate, an analog of the cell-wall precursors of the vancomycin-resistant bacteria. RESULTS: A dimeric derivative of V (V-Rd-V) was found to be much more effective than V in inhibiting the growth of VRE. The interactions of V and V-Rd-V with a monomeric lactate ligand - diacetyl-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate (Ac2KDADLac) - and a dimeric derivative of L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate (Lac-R'd-Lac) in solution have been examined using isothermal titration calorimetry and UV spectroscopy titrations; the results reveal that V-Rd-V binds Lac-R'd-Lac approximately 40 times more tightly than V binds Ac2KDADLac. Binding of V and of V-Rd-V to Nalpha-Ac-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-lactate presented on the surface of mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold indicates that the apparent off-rate for dissociation of V-Rd-V from the surface is much slower than that of V from the same surface. CONCLUSIONS: The results are compatible with the hypothesis that divalency is responsible for tight binding, which correlates with small values of minimum inhibitory concentrations of V and V-Rd-V.     

Cyclic aza-peptide integrin ligand synthesis and biological activity

Aza-peptides are obtained by replacement of the α-C-atom of one or more amino acids by a nitrogen atom in a peptide sequence. Introduction of aza-residues into peptide sequences may result in unique structural and pharmacological properties, such that aza-scanning may be used to probe structure-activity relationships. In this study, a general approach for the synthesis of cyclic aza-peptides was developed by modification of strategies for linear aza-peptide synthesis and applied in the preparation of cyclic aza-pentapeptides containing the RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) sequence. Aza-amino acid scanning was performed on the cyclic RGD-peptide Cilengitide, cyclo[R-G-D-f-N(Me)V] 1, and its parent peptide cyclo(R-G-D-f-V) 2, potent antagonists of the αvβ3, αvβ5, and α5β1 integrin receptors, which play important roles in human tumor metastasis and tumor-induced angiogenesis. Although incorporation of the aza-residues resulted generally in a loss of binding affinity, cyclic aza-peptides containing aza-glycine retained nanomolar activity toward the αvβ3 receptor.     

The synthesis of carboacycles derived from B,B'-bis(aryl) derivatives of icosahedral ortho-carborane

Reactions of both closo-9,12-I2-1,2-C2B10H10 and closo-9,10-I2-1,7-C2B10H10 with an excess of aryl magnesium bromide in the presence of [PdCl2(PPh3)2] afford the corresponding closo-9,12-(4-R-C6H4)2-1,2-C2B10H10 [R=H (1), Me (2), OMe (3), SMe (4), N(CH3)2 (5), Cl (6)] and closo-9,10-(4-R-C6H4)2-1,7-C2B10H10 [R'=Me (7), OMe (8), N(CH3)2 (9), Cl (10), and -C[(OCH2)2]CH3 (11)] compounds in high yields. The anisole derivatives 3 and 8 were deprotected to yield the corresponding bis-phenols 12 and 13, respectively. Structural analyses of compounds 1, 3, 6, and 12 are reported. Re-etherification of compound 12 by using gamma-bromotriethyleneglycol methyl ether provided 14 (R=(CH2CH2O)3CH3). Oxidation of 4 with ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) generated the bis-sulfoxide 15 (R=S(O)Me). Deprotection of compound 11 led to the corresponding acetyl derivative 18 (R'=C(O)Me). Bis-anisole 3 was tethered with 1,3-dibromopropane, 1,6-dibromohexane, 1,8-dibromooctane, 4,4'-bis(iodomethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl, and alpha,alpha'-dibromo-2,6-lutidine to afford the dimers 20b, 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b, respectively. The tetrameric carboracycles 27a and 30a, as well as the dimeric 29c were obtained through repetitive coupling of the dimeric compounds 20b, 24b, and 22b with 1,3-dibromopropane, alpha,alpha'-dibromo-2,6-lutidine, and 1,8-dibromooctane, respectively. The tetrameric carboracycle 28a was obtained upon consecutive reactions of 1 with 1,4-dibromobutane. Hexameric carboracycle 28b was identified as a byproduct. Exhaustive ether cleavage of 27a generated octaphenol 31a. Re-etherification of 31a with trimethylenesultone provided the octasulfonate 32a, the first example of a water-soluble carboracycle. Linkage of dimer 23b with alpha,alpha'-dibromolutidine yielded the cyclic tetrameric tetrapyridyl derivative 30a in low yield. The structures of the carboracycles 27a, 28a, 28b, and 30a have been confirmed by Xray crystallography. In addition, the compounds 28a,b are the first reported carboracycles that interact with solvent molecules in a host-guest fashion.     

Models for the molybdenum hydroxylases: synthesis, characterization and reactivity of cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes

Atom transfer reactions have been employed to convert Tp(i)(Pr)MoO(2)(OAr) into monomeric cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) and dimeric mu-disulfido-Mo(V) species, [Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr)](n)() (Tp(i)(Pr) = hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; OAr = phenolate or naphtholate derivative; n = 1 and 2, respectively). Dark red, monomeric Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr) complexes contain distorted octahedral cis-oxosulfido-Mo(VI) centers, with d(Mo=O) = 1.692(5) A, d(Mo=S) = 2.132(2) A, and angle(O=Mo=S) = 103.68(16) degrees for the 2-sec-butylphenolate derivative. Dark red-purple, dimeric [Tp(i)(Pr)MoOS(OAr)](2) complexes undergo S-S bond cleavage forming monomeric oxosulfido-Mo(VI) species in solution. In the solid state, the 3,5-di-tert-butylphenolate derivative exhibits a centrosymmetric structure, with distorted octahedral anti oxo-Mo(V) centers bridged by a disulfido-kappaS,kappaS' ligand. Hydrolysis of the oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes results in the formation of [Tp(i)(Pr)MoO](2)(mu-S(2))(mu-O). In anaerobic solutions, certain oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes convert to molybdenyl complexes bearing bidentate 2-mercaptophenolate or related naphtholate ligands formed via intramolecular attack of the sulfido ligand on a coligand C-H group. The oxosulfido-Mo(VI) complexes serve as precursors to biologically relevant Mo(V) and heterobimetallic MoO(mu-S)Cu species and undergo a range of biomimetic reactions.     

Lanthanide complexes of [alpha-2-P2W17O61]10-: solid state and solution studies

We have isolated the 1:1 Ln:[alpha-2-P2W17O61]10- complexes for a series of lanthanides. The single-crystal X-ray structure of the Eu3+ analogue reveals two identical [Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]7- moieties connected through two Eu-O-W bonds, one from each polyoxometalate unit. An inversion center relates the two polyoxometalate units. The Eu(III) ion is substituted for a [WO]4+ unit in the "cap" region of the tungsten-oxygen framework of the parent Wells-Dawson ion. The point group of the dimeric molecule is Ci. The extended structure is composed of the [Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]214- anions linked together by surface-bound potassium cations. The space group is P, a = 12.7214(5) A, b = 14.7402(7) A, c = 22.6724(9) A, alpha = 71.550(3), beta = 84.019(3)degrees, gamma = 74.383(3), V = 3883.2(3) A3, Z = 1. The solution studies, including 183W NMR spectroscopy and luminescence lifetime measurements, show that the molecules dissociate in solution to form monomeric [Ln(H2O)4(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]7- species.     

Receptor-bound conformation of an alpha(5)beta(1) integrin antagonist by (15)N-edited 2D transferred nuclear overhauser effects

We report the results of (15)N-edited 2D transferred NOE experiments of the partially (15)N-labeled alpha(5)beta(1) antagonist c[Mpa(15)N-Arg-(15)N-Gly-(15)N-Asp-(15)N-Asp-(15)N-Val-Cys]-NH(2) (Mpa denotes mercaptopropionic acid) in the presence of the native alpha(5)beta(1) receptor. The alpha(5)beta(1) integrin receptor is believed to be involved in tumor metastasis and the rational design of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin antagonist is therefore of considerable interest. Our experiments provide insight into the alpha(5)beta(1) receptor-bound conformation of the antagonist c[MpaRGDDVC]-NH2 and will be important for the design of novel antagonists.     

Structurally diverse copper(II)-carboxylato complexes: neutral and ionic mononuclear structures and a novel binuclear structure

The copper complexes with the commercial auxin herbicides MCPA, 2,4-D, and 2,4,5-T in the presence of a nitrogen donor heterocyclic ligand, phen or bipyam, were prepared and characterized. The available evidence supports a dimeric structure for the 2,4-D complex in the presence of bipyam while phen leads to monomeric forms. The EPR spectrum of Cu2(2,4-D)4(bipyam)2 at 4 K in the solid state exhibits an axial signal which corresponds to almost isolated S = 1/2 magnetic ions. Magnetic data for the dimer show a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the two metal ions with J = -08 cm-1. The crystal structures of tetrakis[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetato]bis(2,2'-bipyridylamine)dicopper(II), 1, bis(1,10-phenanthroline)[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetato]copper(II) chloride, 2, and aqua(1,10-phenanthroline)bis[((2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetato]copper(II), 3, were determined and refined by least-squares methods using three-dimensional MoK alpha data. 1 crystallizes in space group P1, in a cell of dimensions a = 10813(1) A, b = 12138(1) A, c = 11909(1) A, alpha = 86448(3) degrees, beta = 80127(3) degrees, and gamma = 63982(3) degrees, and V = 13837(2) A3, with Z = 1 2 crystallizes in space group I2/a, in a cell of dimensions a = 29958(9) A, b = 11342(3) A, c = 21196(7) A, beta = 10794(1) degrees, and V = 68522(4) A3, with Z = 8 3 crystallizes in space group P1, in a cell of dimensions a = 87419(8) A, b = 12512(1) A, c = 14598(1) A, alpha = 110737(1) degrees, beta = 95742(2) degrees, gamma = 103286(2) degrees, V = 14241(2) A3, with Z = 2.     

Photocontrol of cell adhesion processes: model studies with cyclic azobenzene-RGD peptides

A photoresponsive integrin ligand was synthesized by backbone-cyclization of a heptapeptide containing the integrin binding motif Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) with 4-(aminomethyl)phenylazobenzoic acid (AMPB). Surface plasmon enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy showed that binding of the azobenzene peptide to alpha(v)beta(3) integrin depends on the photoisomeric state of the peptide chromophore. The higher affinity of the trans isomer could be rationalized by comparing the NMR conformations of the cis and trans isomers with the recently solved X-ray structure of a cyclic RGD-pentapeptide bound to integrin.     

Molecular tectonics: self-complementary supramolecular Se...N synthons directing assembly of 1D silver chains into 3D porous molecular architectures

Reaction of 2,1,3-benzoselenadiazole (bsd) with AgNO3 results in the formation of a novel model example of a Se...N synthon directed molecular network of different polymorphs at different temperatures. Alpha-[Ag(bsd)2(NO3)] x 0.5bsd formed at ambient temperature, has a 3D porous molecular network constructed with monomeric [Ag(bsd)2(NO3)] motif, and has 1D channels that are encapsulated with 1D arrays of two-fold-disordered dimeric (bsd)2 guests aggregated by the self-complementary nonbonded Se...N interactions. This is the first molecular net directed by supramolecular Se...N synthons. The second polymorph, beta-[Ag(bsd)2(NO3)] x 0.5bsd, formed from an analogous reaction at 50 degrees C, contains a similar 3D molecular network constructed with tetrameric [Ag4(bsd)8(NO3)4] motif and 1D arrays of well-ordered dimeric (bsd)2 guests are encapsulated in the channels. Such ordered (bsd)2 dimers provide an excellent simplified dimeric model for MO calculations of intermolecular nonbonded Se...N interactions.     

Tetraaza analogues of lithium and sodium alums: synthesis and X-ray structures of the single strand polymer [Li(THF)2(Al[SO2(NtBu)2]2)] infinity and the contact ion pairs [Na(15-crown-5)][Al(SO2(NtBu)2)2] and ([Na(15-crown-5)][O2S(mu-NBn)2Al(mu-NBnSO2NBn)])2

The reaction of an alkali metal aluminohydride MAlH4 (M = Li, Na) with N,N'-bis-(tert-butyl)sulfamide or N,N'-bis-(benzyl)sulfamide in THF produces the complex ions (Al[SO2(NR)2]2)- (R = tBu, Bn). The X-ray structures of [Li(THF)2(Al[SO2(NtBu)2]2)] infinity (1), [Na(15-crown-5)][Al(SO2(NtBu)2)2], (2) and ([Na(15-crown-5)][O2S(mu-NBn)2Al(mu-NBnSO2NBn)])2 (3.3THF) are reported. The two diazasulfate ligands [SO2(NtBu)2]2- are N,N' chelated to Al3+ in both 1 and 2. In the lithium derivative 1 the spirocyclic (Al[SO2(NtBu)2]2)- anions are bridged by the bis-solvated cations Li(THF)2+ to give a polymeric strand. In the sodium salt 2 the complex anion is O,O' chelated to Na+, which is further encapsulated by a 15-crown-5 ligand to give a monomeric ion-pair complex. By contrast, the benzyl derivative 3 forms a dimer in which the terminal [SO2(NBn)2]2- ligands are (N,N'),(O,O') bis-chelated to Al3+ and Na+, respectively, and the bridging ligands adopt a novel N,O-chelate, N'-monodentate bonding mode. The central core of 3 consists of two four-membered AlOSN rings bridged by two NtBu groups. Crystal data: 1, orthorhombic, Pna2(1), a = 20.159(5) degrees, b = 10.354(3) degrees, c = 15.833(4) degrees, alpha = beta = gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3304.7(15) A3, Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 16.031(2) A, b = 9.907(2) A, c = 23.963(4) A, beta = 103.326(2) degrees, Z = 4; 3, triclinic, P1, a = 12.7237(11) A, b = 14.0108(13) A, c = 16.2050(14) A, alpha = 110.351(2) degrees, beta = 111.538(2) degrees, gamma = 97.350(2) degrees, Z = 1.